Simulated curtain wall construction with sheet clad mullions



Aug.. 29, 1967 J. w. SCHNELLER SIMULATED CURTAIN WALL CONSTRUCTION WITH SHEET CLAD MULLIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Deo.

ATTORNEYS Allg 29, 1957 J. w. SCHNELLER 3,338,011

SIMULATED CURTAIN WALL CONSTRUCTION WITH SHEET CLAD MULLIONS Filed Deo. 9, 196;

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOSEIIH W. SCHNELLER ATTORNEYS Aug. 29, 1967 J. w. SCHNELLER SIMULATED CURTAIN WALL CONSTRUCTION WITH SHEET CLAD MULLIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 9,A 1963 INVENTOR JOSEPH W, SCHNELLER ATTORNEYS Aug. 29, 1967 .1. W. SCHNELLER 33381) SIMULATED CURTAIN WALL CONSTRUCTION WITH SHEET CLAD MULLIONS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Decqmlges NAW.

SWW.

INVENTOR.

Jo-IPH w. SCHNELLER l ATTORNEYS United States Patent iice 3,338,011 l Patented Aug. 29, 1967,

3 338,011 SIMULATED CURTAlN WALL CONSTRUCTION WITH SHEET CLAD MULLIONS Joseph W. Schneller, Williamsville, N .Y., assignor to National Gypsum Company, Bufralo, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 329,141 Claims. (Cl. 52-282) This invention relates to improvements in'curtain wall construction, and more particularly to new and improved simulated curtain Wall construction incorporating load bearing mullions composed of wooden framing members and preformed cladding of thin sheet material arranged over the exposed surfaces of such mullions.

Normally, curtain wall systems are composed of panels and mullions which support the curtain wall panels and windows. The mullions are usually extruded metallic shapes of heavy enough cross-section to support wind loads transmitted by the panels. Being extruded, these mullion shapes are usually of substantial thickness and weight, and are therefore expensive.

In contrast, the concept of the present invention involves the use of conventional wooden framing members as both horizontal and vertical load-bearing mullions made into cross-sections which will directly accommodate the curtain wall panels, Without the need for the additional supports normally required in a conventional curtain wall system. In order to simulate, i.e. give the appearance of a curtain wall system, the wooden framing members have their exposed surfaces covered or faced with cladding of thin sheet material which may be metallic or plastic. Since the wooden structural framing members are usually of known dimensions such as 2 X 4", 1 x 3', 2 x 6" etc., the design or shape of the cladding can be anticipated and therefore Prefabricated. For any given structural framing system, no more than seven or eight preformed shapes may be made to clad these wooden :framing members. The resulting Wall construction presents the appearance of a conventional curtain wall system, but at substantially reduced cost.

Accordingly, a priary object of the present invention is to provide simulated curtain wall construction which isV considerably less expensive than a conventional or standard curtain wall system because of significant reductions in construction costs through the use of fewer and less expensive materials and parts, and simplilied construction techniques resulting in lower labor cost.

Another object is to provide simulated curtain wall construction incorporating new and improved load bearing mullions which can be made readily into the desired cross-section for directly accommodating the curtain wall panels, as Well as faced with cladding to present the appearance of the more expensive extruded mullions normally employed.

A further object is to provide simulated curtain Wall construction incorporating new and improved joints including such load bearing mullions, curtain Wall panels and preformed molding securing the panels and mullions together.

Still another object is to provide simulated curtain wall construction incorporating new and improved molding made of thin sheet material and preformed to the desired cross-sectional shape for securing the panels and mullions together in a most effective and ecient manner.

A still further object is to provide simulated curtain wall construction incorporating a new and improved combination of wall panel and frame enclosing the panel along its marginal edges, and wherein the panel and frame form interconnected joints including such mullions and molding, whereby the frame is effectively prevented from racking out of shape.

: on line 7 7 of FIG.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a oor plan view of a small building, such as a drive-in bank tellers booth incorporating the inventive simulated curtain wall construction, and illustrates the various cross-sectional constructions of the vertical or upright mullions;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the lower and left hand walls of FIG. 1, looking from the outside of the booth at the corner of these two walls, and illustrates the external appearance of the panels, vertical and horizontal mullions and molding, with portions of cladding being broken away to illustrate the underlying wooden framing members;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the lower portions of the outside corner and walls of FIG. 2, and illustrates in greater detail the external appearance of the vertical corner mullion, horizontal lower sill mullions, and molding, with portions of cladding being broken away to illustrate the underlying wooden framing members;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4 4 of FIG. 2, and illustrates the cross-sectional construction of both the upper cap mullion and lower sill mullion, the cladding thereon, and the manner in which the molding secures a wall panel to these mullions;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective View of the lower and left hand walls of FIG. 1, looking from the inside of the booth at the corner of these two walls, and illustrates the internal appearance of the panels and vertical and horizontal mullions, with portions of cladding being broken away to illustrate the underlying wooden framing members;

FIG. 5A is a further enlarged top plan view of the encircled corner mullion in FIG. 5, with the overlying cap mullions being shown in dotted lines, to illustrate how the cap mullions are supported on the corner mullions;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary perspective View of the lower portions of the inside corner and Walls of FIG. 5, and illustrates in greater detail the interior appearance of the vertical corner mullion and lower horizontal sill mullions;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged horizontal sectional View taken 1, and illustrates in detail the construction of the joint formed by a horizontal lower sill mullion of L-shaped cross-section, the cladding thereon, a wall panel, and the molding securing the panel and mullion together.

FIG. 8 is an enlargement of the correspondingly numbered encircled portion of FIG. l, and illustrates in greater detail the construction of the joint formed by a vertical corner mullion of Z-shaped cross-section, the cladding thereon, pair of perpendicular panels, and the molding securing the panels and mullion together, and

FIG. 9 is an enlargement of the correspondingly numbered encircled portion of FIG. l, and illustrates in greater detail the construction of the joint formed by a vertical mullion of T-shaped cross-section, the cladding thereon, a pair of opposed wall panels, and the molding securing the panels and mullion together.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. l, a typical building incorporating the inventive simulated curtain wall construction is generally indicated at 10. This building is a drive-in tellers booth for the convenience of bank customers in outlying areas, and is built on a concrete floor slab 11 which supports the four Walls composed of front wall 12, rear Wall 13, left side wall 14 and right side wall 15.

The front wall 12 is divided into three sections, the central section 16, which includes a tellers window and frame 17 (FIGS. 2 and 5), being arranged .between the 3 left end section 18 and the wall 13 is also divided into three sections, with the central section 20, which is co-mposed of door and frame 21, -being arranged between left end section 22 and right end section 23. The left side wall 14 is composed of two sections, 24 being the front section and 25 being the rear section. Likewise, the right side wall is composed of two sections, with 26 being the front section and 27 being the rear section.

The details of the tellers window and frame 17 in central front section 16 and the door and frame 21 in central rear section form no part of the present invention, and are preferably prefabricated metal units supplied by the manufacturers of these items.

As also seen in FIGS. 2-4, each section, except 16 and 20, includes an upright rectangular curtain wall panel 28 which is preferably of three ply bonded construction including a central core 29 sandwiched between an interior layer or ply 30 and an exterior layer or ply 31. The core 29 is preferably made of rigid polyurethane foam with a thickness of about one inch, while the interior and exterior layers 30, 31 are preferably made of rigid lasbestos cement sheets, the interior sheet 30 of about M3 thickness having a plain face on each side, while the exterior sheet 31 of about 5716 thickness has a vertically striated exterior surface, as clearly seen in FIGS. 2, 3, 8 and 9.

Each panel 2S is inserted into and enclosed by a rectangular frame composed of two horizontal mullions and two vertical mullions secured together in the usual manner, as by nailing (not shown).

The lower horizontal or sill mullion in each frame is of L-shaped cross-section, and is designated by the numeral 32 for front sections 16, 18 and 19, by the numeral 33 for rear sections 20, 22 and 23, and by the numeral 34 for side sections 24, and 26, 27. Each of these horizontal sill mullions are the same in cross-section, but do have differences in length and end shape, as will be explained in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 2-4 and 7.

The upper horizontal cap mullion is also of L-shaped cross-section and is designated by the numeral 35 for front sections 16, 1S and 19, by the numeral 36 for rear sections 20, 22 and 23, and by the numeral 37 for side sections 24, 25 and 26, 27. Each of these cap mullions is of the same cross-section, as shown in FIG. 4, but mullions 35 and 36 are longer than and overlap the ends of mullions 37, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5.

Each frame enclosing a panel 2.8 is completed by a pair of vertical mullions. With the exception of sections 16 and 20, one of these mullions is a corner mullion 38 of Z-shaped cross-section as illustrated in FIGS. l and 8.

The other of the two certical mullions is one of the following two particular types. For side sections 24, 25,

and 26,27 the second vertical mullion is an inter-mediate mullion 39 of T-shaped cross-section, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9. For front sections 18 and 19, the second Vvertical mullion is an intermediate mullion 40 of L-shaped cross-section, as illustrated in FIG. l, and for rear sections 22, 23 this remaining vertical mullion 41 is of the same L-shaped cross-section, as also illustrated in FIG. l.

From each of the figures, and particularly FIGS. 1, 4 and 7-9, it will be evident that each panel 2S is securely held in place by molding which is composed of horizontal strips 42h and vertical strips 42V, the ldetailed description of which will be given below. As a result, the panel, molding and the lmullions engaged by such panel and molding form interconnected joints rigidifying the lwall structure, and the panels 28 effectively prevent the frames surrounding them from racking out of shape.

Prior to describing the detailed structure of each mullion, it is to be noted that these mullions have certain common characteristics, the iirst one being that each mullion is composed of at least -two wooden framing members of elongated generally rectangular cross-section providing longer si-des and shorterends with the second member having its sides arranged generally perpendicularly to the right end section 19. 'I'he rear sides of the rst member and rigidly secured thereto as by nailing (not shown), with one end of the second member offset beyond one side of the first member. Secondly, the surfaces of each mullion which are exposed to view, whether from the exterior or interior of the building, are covered by preformed cladding of thin sheet -material which may be either metal such as aluminum, bent to shape, or plastic, such as rigid polyvinyl chloride, molded to shape, and the cladding preferably ranges from 0.030 to 0.050" in thickness. Thus, when combined with the wall panels 28 and molding 42, these clad mullions not only provide a load bearing wall structure, but also give the appearance of curtain wall construction by virtue of the cladding covering the wooden framing members.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the horizontal sill mullion 34 for left side wall sections 24 and 25 is shown in cross-Y section. Inasmuch as the cross-sections of horizontal sill mullion 32 (sections 16, 18 and 19) and horizontal sill mullions 33 (sections 20, 22 and 23) are identical, this description of mullion 34 applies to each.

Mullion 34 is composed of a iirst, horizontal wooden framing member 43 which is preferably a narrow 2" x 6" (1545" x 5?/16" actual dimensiOnSLand is provided with a slanted front nose portion 44 to provide the desired appearance of a sill. A second vertical wooden framing mem-l ber 45, which is preferably a large l x 3" (l1/16 x 3" actual dimensions), is arranged perpendicularly to member 43 with its outer side abutting the inner end of member 43, its upper end offset beyond the upper side of member 43 and its lower end flush with the underside of member 43. Both of these members rest upon theV upper side of a third horizontal wooden framing member or sill plate 46, which is preferably a wide 2" X 6" (l5/s" x 61A" actual dimensions), so that its inner and outer ends are ush with the inner side of member 45 and the outer end of member 43- respectively. This supporting member 46 is Yanchored to the concrete hoor slab 11 in any suitable manner, but preferably by upstanding anchoring bolts 47 and nuts 4S arranged in recesses 49 provided in the upper side of member 46 (only one of the bolts, nuts and recesses being shown).

In order to provide the appearance of the extruded all metal mullions normally employed in curtain wall construction, each of members 43, 45 and 46 is covered with cladding, thel cladding being shown as aluminum sheet material of 0.032" thickness, as the preferred type of material. This cladding includes a firstV sheet 50 which is bent into a generally U-shaped cross-section to it over.

tioned over the underlying mullion member with a close fit, and if desired, each cladding sheet may be. held temporarily in place by tacks (not shown). With this type of arrangement, it will be obvious that the various cladding sheets can be prefabricated to the shape Aand size desi-red depending upon the particular mullion member over which the sheet is to be fit, and as Will be seen below,r no more than seven or eight dierently shaped cladding sheets will be needed for an entire building construction of a given design.

Continuing with the cladding of mullion 34, a second sheet 51 is also bent to a generally U-shape to readily iit over the inner side and upper and lower ends of vertical member 45. However, the upper leg 51a of sheet 51 is provided with a depending flange 51b to partially cover the outer side of member 45 adjacent its upper end, and in eifect form a hook t-o ensure the desired rm engage-V ment between sheet 51 and this member. The lower leg 51C preferably extends beyond the outer side of member 45 and under the lower side of member 43 to provide a level bearing surface for both members on sill plate 46.

The cladding is completed by a pair of generally U- shaped sheets 52 fitting over each end of the third wooden framing member 46, whereby its upper and lower sides are at least partially covered, and its outer ends are completely covered. The upper legs 52a provide a substantial and level bearing surface for the cladding of members 43 and 45, while the lower legs 52h also provide a level bearing surface for engagement with the floor slab 11.

In assembling the horizontal sill mullions 34 or 32, 33, the sill plate members 46 are clad and then anchored in place in the positions shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and 5 and 6. The outer ends of the sill plates of the long front mullion 32 and the two short rear mullions 33 (which are spaced apart by door and frame 21, FIG. l), overlap the ends `of the sill plates of mullions 34, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. Hence, to properly clad the exposed end faces of the front and rear sill plates, the outer cladding sheets 52 thereon are preferably provided with tongues 52! which are preferably bent over and secured to these exposed end faces. Alternatively, the tongues 52t could extend from the cladding sheets 52 of mullions 34, 0r be separate pieces, if desired.

Returning to FIG. 7, the wooden framing members 43 and 45 are rst nailed together and then clad, after which member 43 is nailed to member 46, preferably through the unclad portion of the upper surface of member 43, to complete the mullion assembly. In the case of mullions 34, the ends of members 44 are cut off to receive the ends of members 44 of mullions 32, 33, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6, while members 43 of mullions 34 overlap the ends of members 43 of mullions 32 and 33, as best seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 5. Thus, to present the desired clad appearance and tapered nose elfect in the area beyond the ends of members 43 of mullions 32 and 33, the end of members 43 of mullions 34 yare cut to provide a slanting nose portion 44e (FIG. 3), and the cladding sheets 50, which are made longer than the underlying member 43, are notched and bent over the slanted nose portions to provide an end cladding portion 50e.

As will now be evident, the exposed interior and exterior surfaces of these horizontal mullions are completely covered by the cladding to give the desired appearance of the normal all metal mullion, with a substantial reduction in the cost of producing such all metal mullions.

In forming the joint between the mullion 34 and panel 28, the panel is arranged with its lower edge abutting the upper surface of framing member 43 and its inner side or ply 30 engaging the outer side of the member 45 adjacent its upper end. The panel 28 is securely held in place by the horizontal molding strip 42h, which is also made of thin sheet material, preferably metal such as aluminum of about 0.050 thickness, and bent to shape. Since the vertical molding strips 42V are of the same construction as the horizontal strips 42h, a description of one of the latter will suice for all strips.

As clearly shown in FIG. 7, the horizontalV molding strip 42h is of generally U-shaped cross-section opening toward the upper side of framing member 43, and includes an inner leg 42a inclined toward the outer side or ply 31 of panel 28 at a steep angle to the upper side of member 43. The horizontal strip 42h also includes an outer leg 42b which is arranged perpendicularly to the upper surface of member 43 but terminates in an outer flange 42e which is inclined toward the outer side of panel 28 at a shallow angle to the upper surface of member 43. The molding strip 42h is securely held in place by a screw S passing through ange 42e into member 43, so that the juncture of inner leg 42a and the upper Ihorizontal portion of strip 42h engages the outer side of panel 28, while the lower end of inner leg 42a and the outer end of flange 42e engage the upper surface of member 43.

The screw S has its axis arranged perpendicular to the outer flange 42C of molding strip 42h, and is thus inclined away from the outer side 31 of panel 28 at an obtuse angle with the upper surface of member 43. The tightening of screw S bears downwardly and inwardly on ange 42e and outer leg 42b of molding strip 42h, thereby urging the juncture of inner leg 42a and the upper portion of the molding strip into more intimate engagement with the outer side of panel 28, and also urges the lower end of inner leg 42a into more intimate engagement with the upper surface of member 43.

The spacing between inner leg 42a of the molding strip and the outer surface 31 of panel 28 is preferably filled with a sealing compound C to provide for a weather-proof joint and to prevent any undesirable rattling of panel 28, while still providing a resilient engagement between the molding and the panel.

l Referring to the horizontal cap mullion 37 for sections 24 and 25, its structure will now be described in detail by reference to FIG. 4. In View of the fact that the crosssectional structure of cap mullion 37 is the same as that for the front and rear mullions 35 and 36, a description of one will suice for all.

. As will be apparent from FIG. 4, the horizontal cap mullion 37 is quite similar to the horizontal sill mullion 34, since the former is also L-shaped in cross-section. However, cap -mullion member 37 is composed of only two wooden framing members, the first or horizontal member 53 being preferably a standard 2" x 6 (l5/s x 51/2" actual dimensions). The second or vertical member 54, which is arranged perpendicularly to the lirst member 53 with its outer side abutting the inner end of the first member 53, its lower end offset below the lower side of first member 53 and its upper end flush with the upper side of member 53, is preferably a large l" x 3" (1%6 x 3" actual dimensions).

The exposed exterior and interior surfaces of cap mullion 37 are also covered by cladding which is composed of a first sheet 55 bent into a generally U-shaped crosssection similar to sheet 52, but with longer legs of equal length. This rst sheet 55 is arranged over first member 53 to completely cover its outer end and the major portions of its upper and lower sides. The second cladding sheet covering the exposed inner side surface and upper and lower end surfaces of member 54 is `designated by the numeral 51 because this cladding sheet is identical to that employed for the horizontal sill member 45. Thus, the lower leg member 51 in FIG. 4 also has an inturned ange 51b covering the outer surface of member 54 adjacent its lower end for secure engagement between the cladding sheet and the member. The only difference between the cladding sheets 51 of FIGS. 7 and 4V is that in the latter ligure, this sheet is arranged upside down with respect to the sheet in FIG. 7.

In forming the joint with panel 29, the upper end of the panel is arranged with respect to members 53 and 54 in the -same manner as the lower end with respect t0 members 43 and 45, and hence need not be described in detail. The same is true for the lrelationship between the upper horizontal molding strip 42h, panel 28 and member 53 and that of the lower molding strip 42h, panel 28 -and member 43, the upper strip merely being arranged upside down as compared to the lower strip.

In assembling each of the cap mullions 35, 36 or 37, the wooden framing members 53, 54 are first nailed together and then clad, after which these mullions are arranged over and secured to the corresponding and pre- Viously erected, underlying vertical mullions 38, 39, 40 and 41, preferably by nailing (not shown) through the unclad portions of members 53, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 5A. It is to be noted that the longer front and rear cap mullions are of the same length, with the ends of their vertical members 54 being cutoff to receive the vertical members 54 of mullions 37, and with their horizontal members 53 overlapping the ends of the horizontal members 53 of mullions 37. With such an arrangement, it is necessary to provide the exposed end faces of horizontal members 53 of mullions 35, 36 with cladding which is preferably in the form of tongues 55t on each of sheets 55 and which tongues are preferably bent over and secured to these end faces. Alternatively, the tongues 55t ycould extend from the cladding sheets 55 of mullions 37, or be separate pieces, if desired.

From FIGS. 2-6, it will now be apparent that the eX- posed exterior and interior surfaces of both the lower horizontal sill mullions 32, 33, 34 and the upper horizontal cap mullions 35, 36, 37 are completely covered by the various cladding sheets to give the desired curtain Wall appearance normally employing all metal, extruded -mullions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 8, the corner mullion 38 will be described in detail, it being noted that this corner mullion is the same for each of the four corners of the building, the only diiference being the positions of the corner mullions. Hence a description of the mullion 38 forming the lower left hand corner in FIG. 1 between section 18 and 24, will be suicient for each corner mullion.

This upright corner mullion is composed of three vertical wooden framing members 56, 57 and 58 arranged with respect to each other to provide a Z-shaped crosssection, as best illustrated in FIG. 8. The first member 56 is preferably a standard 2 X 4 (15s X 3%" actual dimensions), the second member 57 is preferably a large 1" X 3" 1%6" X 3" actual dimensions), and the third member 58 is preferably another standard 2" X 4 like rst member 56. The second member 57 is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the first member 56, with its left outer side abutting the right inner end of member 56, its rear inner end offset beyond the rear inner side of member 56 and its front outer end flush with the front outer side of member 56. The third member 58 is also arranged perpendicularly to the first member 56, with its rear inner end abutting the front outer side of member 56, its left outer side flush with the left outer endV of member 56 and its right inner side inset within the right inner end of member 56.

The cladding is composed of just two pre-shaped sheets 59 and 60. First sheet 59 is bent into a combined L- and U-shaped cross-section, and is designed to cover the exposed surfaces of both members 56 and 58, the rear inner leg 59a covering the exposed portion of the rear inner surface of member 56, the left outer leg 59b covering the left outer end and left outer side of members 56 and 58 respectively, the front outer leg 59c covering the front outer end of member 58 and the right inner leg 59d covering the exposed portion of the right inner side of member 58. The second sheet 60 is bent into a generally L-shaped cross-section quite similar to sheet 51 (FIG. 7), and its rear iner leg 60a is provided with an inturned ilange 601; just as sheet 51, but the front outer leg or ange 60C of sheet 60 is much shorter than lower leg 51C. However, it will be evident that sheets 51 and 60 could be used interchangeably for each of members 45 (FIG. 7), 54 (FIG. 4) and 57 (FIG. 8). This second sheet 60 covers completely the right inner surface and rear inner end of member 57 and the corner portions of the left outer side and front outer end of member 57 adjacent such rear inner end and right inner surface respectfully.

Once again, it will be seen that the exposed exterior and interior surfaces of vertical corner mullion 38 are covered by the two cladding sheets 59 and 60 to present the desired appearance of an a'll metal, extruded mullion.

In assembling each corner mullon 38, the members 56,- 57 and 58 are preferably nailed together and then clad, after which these members are erected and preferably toe nailed to the underlying sill mullions through the Y unclad portions of the former. However, if desired, the

cladding sheets 59 and 60 can readily be slid upwardly to permit toe nailing through the normally clad portions. To facilitate anchoring and proper locating of the cor? ner mullions 38, the members 58 are positioned over the horizontal upper surfaces of members 43 of mullions 34 adjacent the corners formed by the slanted nose portionsY 44 and 44e (FIGS. 3 and 8), with their outer sides running along nose portions 44 and their outer ends running along nose portions 44e; the members 56 are positioned over the upper surfaces of horizontal members 43 with their outer ends running along nose portions 44 and their inner ends ush with the inner ends of members 43 and the outer sides of members 45, and the members 57 have their lower ends cut back to rest squarely upon 4the upper ends of members 45 at their junctures (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6). To facilitate securing the cap mullions 35-37 to the upper ends of corner mullions 38, the members 58 about the undersides of members 53 of cap mullions 35, 36, and the members 56 abut members 53 of cap mullions 37 along the junctures between mullions 37 and 35, 36, as best seen in FIG. 5A. In addition, the upper ends of members 57 are cut back to abut the lower ends of members 54 of mullions 37 adjacent their junctures with the members 54 of mullions 35, 36 (FIG. 5).

In forming the joints with panels 28, as best seen in FIG. 8, each corner mulliou 38 actually forms two joints, one for a front or rear section, such as front section 18, and the other for a side section, such as 24. The joint formed by the front side panel 28, the` rear inner side of member S6 and the left outer side of member 57 is the same as that formed between the rear side panel 28 and members 43 and 45 in FIG. 7, as is the completion of the joint with the vertical molding strip 42v, when compared with the horizontal molding kstrip 42h of FIG. ,-7. Hence, -a detailed description of thisV vertical joint is not necessary. However, the'joint between front panel 28 and members 56, 57 and 58 in section 18 is somewhat different. 'In this case, the vertical end face or edge of front panel 28 abuts the right inner side of member 58, while the rear inner side or layer 30 of panel 28 abuts the front outer side and front outer end of members 56 and 57, respectively. However, the relationship between the vertical molding strip 42v and the outer ply 31 of front panel 28 in front section 18 is the same as for the other joints, and need not be described in detail.

The remaining vertical mullion completing each Wall section is, as noted above, and as shown in FIG. 1, either the T-shaped mullion 39 (sections 24, 25 and 26, 27) Vor the L-shaped mullon 40 (sections 18, 19) or the L-shaped mullion 41 (sections 22, 23).

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, the T-shaped mullion 39 is composed of two vertical wooden framing members 61 and 62, 61 being a standard 2" dimensions), -and 62 being a large 1" x 3" (1%6 X 3" actual dimensions). The second member 62 is arranged perpendicularly to the first member 61, but has both of its ends olset beyond the sides of member 61 in or-der to form dual joints on each side of the mullion, for both sections 24 and 25. The cladding for this mullion is composed of two sheets, a first sheet 63 and a second sheet 64. The rst sheet 63 is bent into a generally U-shaped crosssection like sheet 55 (FIG. 4) however the legs are shorter because member 61 is a 2" X 4" as compared to member 53 which is a 2" X 6". The second sheet 64 is bent into a generally C-shaped cross-section being provided with two opposed inturned. flanges 64a andV 64b enabling the sheet to snap over and firmly engage the second member 62. Y

Thus, after assembly and nailing of members 61 and 62 together and the fitting of the cladding sheets 63 and 64 in place, the outer end and the exposed portions of both sides of member 61 are covered by sheet 63, while the inner side, both ends and the portions of the outer side'adjacent both ends of member 62 are covered by sheet 64. Accordingly, whether viewed from the inside of the building, as in FIG. 5, or from the outside of the building, as in FIG. 2, the exposed surfaces of this mullion and the other mullions give the appearance of -an all metal mullion. Y

In installing the vertical T-shaped mullions 39 after assembly vand cladding, they are placed on end on sill mullions 34 so that members 61 set on the horizontal upper surfaces of members 43 with their inner ends ilush with the inner ends of members 43, and the lower ends of members 62 are cut back to rest squarely on the upper ends of members 45, as best seen in FIGS. l, 5 and 9. It is then but a simple matter to toe nail members 61 to members 43 through the unclad portions of the former. Should it vbe desired to drive additional nails through the normally clad portions of mullions 39, the cladding sheets 63 and 64 can be slid upwardly to permit this. To facilitate connection to the cap mullions 37,-the upper ends of members 61 abut the undersides of members 53 with their inner ends lush (FIG. 2) while the upper ends of members 62 are cut back to abut the undersides of members 54 with their inner sides ilush (FIG. 5), whereupon the capmullions may readily be nailed onto the T-shaped mullions.

The joints between the side panels 28 and mullion 39 are practically the same as that 4between side panel 28 and members 43 and 45 of mullion 34 (FIG. 7), the only differences being that mullion 39 is design to form two joints instead of one, and that member 62 in FIG. 9 does not protrude quite as far beyond the sides of member 61 as member 45 in FIG. 7 protrudes beyond the upper side of member 43. The same is true for the relationship between the vertical molding strips 42v and the opposed panels 28 in completing the joints with mullion 39, as compared with the molding strip and panel -in FIG. 7. Hence, no further description of these joints is required.

For front sections 18 and 19, the remaining one of the two vertical mullions is the L-shaped mullion 40, as illustrated in FIG. 1. This mullion is composed of a irst wooden framing member 65, which is preferably a standard 2 x 4" (1% X 35/8 actual dimensions) and a second wooden framing member 66 which is a large l X 3 (l1/a" X 3" actual dimensions). The cladding of this mullion 40 is composed of a rst sheet 63 having a generally U-shaped cross-section, and since it is identical to the sheet covering member 61 ofl T-shaped mullion 39 of FIG. 9, it has the same numeral. The second cladding sheet 60 is obviously the same as that covering member 57 of FIG. 8, and alternatively, the sheet 51 covering member 45 of FIG. 7 could be used.

Once again, after assembly of mullions 40 (the left mullion 40 for section 18 being the mirror image of the right mullion 40 for section 19) and the cladding thereof, exposed exterior and interior surfaces are covered to give the desired all metal mullion appearance. More specifically, the rst sheet 63 covers the front outer end and eX- posed side portions of each side of member 65, while the second sheet 60 covers the inner rear side, outer end and a part of the outer side and inner end of member 66, just as it covers member 57 of FIG. 8.

In erecting mullions 40, they are positioned endwise on sill mullion 32 so that members 65 rest upon the upper of member 43 with their inner ends ush and the lower ends of members 63 are cut .back to rest on the upper ends of members 45 with their inner sides ush (FIGS. 2 and 5), whereupon mullions 40 can betoe nailed in place just as mullions 39. Likewise, to facilitate connection to cap mullion 35, the upper ends of members 65 abut the underside of member 53 with their inner ends ush and the upper ends of members 66 are cut back to abut the undersides of member 54, with their inner sides flush, whereupon the cap 'mullion can be nailed in place in the usual manner.

Inasrnuch as the joints between mullions 40, front panels 28 and molding strips 42V are the same as the joint for members 56, 57, side panel 28 and molding strip 42v in FIG. 8, there is no need to repeat such description.

The sections 22 and 23 are each completed by the vertical L-shaped mullion 41 which is composed of a rst member 68, which is a standard 2 X 4" 15/s x 35/8" actual dimensions) and a second member 69, which is a large 1" x 3 (l1/l" x 3 actual dimensions); The second member 69 is arranged perpendicularly to the rst member 68, with its rear outer side abutting the front inner end of rst member 68, its left or right inner end ush with the left or right inner side respectively of the first member, and its left or right outer end olset beyond the left or right outer side respectively of the rst member.

The cladding for mullion 41 includes a rst sheet 63 arranged over member 68 and a second sheet 5'1 arranged over member 69. As will be apparent, the iirst sheet 63 is identical to sheets 63 covering members 61 of mullions 39 (FIG. 9) and members 65 of mullions 40 (FIG. 1), while the second sheet 51 is identical to sheets 51 covering' members 45 of mullions 34 (FIG. 7) and members 54 of mullions 37 (FIG. 4). However, in this case, sheet 60 (FIG. 8) cannot be used interchangeably, because the left or right inner ends of members 69 are completely exposed by the door frame 21. Thus, the long flange or arm 51C is necessary to cover these surfaces for the proper cladding effect.

J-ust as with the other mullions, the exposed surfaces of mullions 41 (the right end mullion 41 lbeing a mirror image of the left end mullion 41) are covered with cladding to give the appearance of an all metal, extruded mullion. More specifically, sheet 51 covers the front inner side, both ends and the portion of the rear outer side adjacent the left or right outer end of member 69, while sheet 63 covers the outer end and the exposed portions of both sides of member 68.

The mullions 41 are assembled, clad and erected just as mullions 4t), the relationship between the members 68, 69 and the members 43 and 45 of sill mullions 33 as well as the members 53 and 54 of cap mullion 36 being the same as previously described, except that mullions 41 are located at the inner ends ofthe two short sill mullions 33 instead of along the long continuous sill mullion 32. The door and frame 21 may be secured in place within the spacing between mullions 41 as illustrated in FIG. 1, in any suitable manner, not shown.

Considering any one of sections 18, 19 and 22-27, it will be evident that each panel is inserted into and enclosed by a rectangular frame composed ofthe appropriate horizontal and vertical mullions, with the lower edge of the panel abutting iirst member 43 of a sill mullion such as 34 (FIG. 7), the upper edge abutting rst member 53 of a cap mullion such as 37 (FIG. 4), and the side edges abutting the iirst member such as 61 of T-shaped mullion 39 (FIG. 9), 56 of corner mullion 38 (FIG. 8), 65 of L- shaped mullion 40 (FIG. 1), 63 of L-shaped mullion 41 (FIG. l) or the third member 58 of corner mullion 38 (FIG. 8) Likewise, the inner side or ply 30 of each panel is .backed by the second member such as 45 of a sill mullion such as 34 (FIG. 7), 54 of cap mullion such as 37 (FIG. 4), 57 of a corner mullion 38 (FIG. 8), 62 of a T- shaped mullion 39 (FIG. 9), 66 of L-shaped mullion 40, 69 of L-shaped mullion 41, or the iirst and second members 56, 57 of corner mullion 38 (FIG. 8). In addition, the vertical and horizontal molding strips 42V and 42h sec-ure each panel in place within each frame.

Hence, the frames forming the various wall sections are rigidiied and eiectively prevented from racking (i.e. pivoting about their intersections in the plane of the frame or perpendicular to the plane of the frame). As a consequence, the building 10 is quite strong, even though composed of relatively few parts, and its strength to weight ratio is much higher than the normal curtain Wall construction because the mullions directly receive the panels, without any need for the extra supporting panels and mullions for the curtain wall panels and windows normally required in conventional curtain wall construction.

The side walls of the building 10 are completed by the portions of central front section 16 lying above and below the tellers window and frame 17, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 vand 5. Considering the lower portion, this is, in effect, a miniaturization of one of the larger front sections l 1 such as 18 or 19, in that it includes a small rectangular panel 28a which forms interconnected joints with lower horizontal sill mullion 32, vertical L-shaped mullions 71 and a horizontal L-shaped cap mullion 72.

The vertical mullions 71 which are identical to mullions 40, except for length, fit within and along side of mullions 40,V as clearly shown in FIG. 1, each first member 73 being a standard 2 X 4" 0%" x 35/s actual dimensions), and each second member 74 being a large 1" X 3 (I1/16" x 3 actual dimensions). The mullions 71 are arranged so that their second members 74 face endwise toward each other, are clad with sheets 63 and 60 (or 51), and are erected just as mullions 40. The cap mullion 72 is identical to L-shaped mullions 41, except for length, the first standard 2" X 4 member 75 being clad with sheet 63 (FIG. 2) and the second large l" x 3" member 76 being clad with s-heet 51 (FIG. 5). The cap mullion 72 spans and is nailed to the vertical mullions 71 in the usual manner, the upper and lower ends of members 74 of the latter being cut back like mullions 40 to abut the members 76 and 45 respectively.

Thus, the exposed surfaces of mullions 71 and 72 areY covered with cladding to give the desired all metal mullion appearance, and the molding strips 42v and 42h secure panel 28a in place in the same manner as panels 28.

Located directly above the tellers window and frame 17 and spanning the space between vertical mullions 40 (FIGS. 2 and 5), is another horizontal cap mullion 77. This mullion is also L-shaped in cross-section and is identical to mullion 72 as it is also composed of a standard 2 x 4" first member 78 and a large l X 3 second member 79, these members 78, 79 being covered by cladding sheets 63Vand 51 respectively. Mullion 77, however, is arranged so that its member 79 protrudes upwardly instead of downwardly, as does member 76 of mullion 7?.,`

and mullion 77 is secured to mullions 40 preferably by nails (not shown) driven through the opposite unclad side portions of members 65.

Inserted into the space above mullion 77 is a louvered vent panel and frame 80, the detailed construction of which forms no part of the invention, although it is preferably made of metal, such as aluminum. This vent frame, which is backed up by member 54 of mullion 35 and member 79 of mullion 77 may be secured in place in any suitable manner, not shown, although molding strips such as 42v and 42h could readily be used. As will also be evident, a similar louvered vent frame (not shown) could readily be installed in the same manner over door and frame 20, if desired.

Since the roof construction of building may be of any suitable design, the same is not illustrated.

It will now be seen how the invention accomplishes its various objects. In vaccordance with the inventive concept herein -conventional wooden framing members are used as the cores of both horizontal and vertical load bearing mullions, and which mullions are made into cross-sections directly accommodating the curtain wall panels 28, 28a, wit-hout the need for additional supports normally required in conventional curtain wall construction. In addition, the preferably ymetal cladding over the exposed exterior and interior surfaces of the mullions presents the desired appearance of the all metal extruded mullions, while substantially reducing the construction costs. Moreover, the molding strips effectively secure the panels to the mullions in order to provide the desired rigid interconnected joints and to prevent the frames of the various side wall sections from racking out of shape.

While the invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various changes and modications may be made in the inventive structure by those skilled in the art, without departing from the inventive concept, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1.V A generally horizontal load bearing sill mullion of generally L-shaped cross-section for simulated curtain wall construction and comprising first, second and third 'wooden framing members of elongated generally rectangular cross-section, said second member being arranged generally perpendicularly to said first member and having one Vside abutting one end of said first member, one end offset beyond one side of said first member and its other end substantially ush with the other side of said first member, said third member being arranged generally parallelly to said first member and having one side abutting said other side of said first member and said other end of said second member, one end substantially ush with the other side of said second member, and its other end substantially flush with the other end of said first member, land preformed cladding of thin sheet material including a first sheet arranged over said o-ne side and other end of said fi-rst member, a second sheet arranged over said one end and said other side of said second member, and a third pair of sheets arranged over both ends of said third member.

2. An upright load bearing corner mullion of generally Z-shaped cross-section for simulated curtain wall construction and comprising first, second and third wooden framing members of elongated generally rectangular crosssection, said second member being arranged generally perpendicularly to said first member and having one side abutting one end of said first member, one end oisetk beyond one side of said first member and its other end substantially flush with the other side of said first member, said third member being arranged generally perpendicularly to said first -member and having one end abutting said other side of said first member and one side substantially ush with the other end of said first member, a-nd preformed cladding of thin sheet material including a first sheet arranged over said one side and other end of said first member and over both sides and the other end of said third member, and a second sheet arranged over said one end and the other side of said second member.

3. In simulated curtain wall construction, a joint including a load bearing mullion, a wall panel, and preformed molding securing said panel and mullion together, said mullion comprising first and second wooden kframing members of elongated generally rectangular cross-section providing longer sides and shorter ends, said second member having its sides arranged generally perpendicularly to the sides of said first member and having one side abutting one end of said first member and oneend offset beyond one side of said rst member, and preformed cladding of thin sheet material covering the exposed surfaces of said members and including a first sheet ar-V ranged over said one side and the other end of said first member and completely covering said other end of said first member, and a second sheet arranged over both sides and both ends of said second member and completely covering said one end and the other side of said second member, said panel having one edge abutting said one side of said first Ymember and one side abutting said one side of said second member, and said molding being made of thin sheet material of generally U-shaped crosssection opening toward said one side of said first member and including an inner leg inclined toward said other side of said panel at a steep angle to said one side of said first member and an outer leg generally perpendicular to said one side of said firstY member and terminating in an outstanding flange inclined toward said other side of said panel at a shallow angle to said one side of said first member, said inner leg having its inner end engaging said other side of said panel and its outer end engaging said one side of said first member to provide spacing between said inner leg and said other side of said panel for sealing compound, and said fiange having its outer end fastened into engagement with said one side if. f said `first member for urging said inner end and outer end of said inner leg into more intimate engagement with said other side of said panel and said one side of said first member respectively. Y

, 4. In simulated curtain wall construction, a joint including an upright load bearing mullion of generally T-shaped cross-section, a pair of opposed upright wall panels, and preformed molding securing said panels and mullion together, said mulliony comprising first and second woodenframing members of elongated generally rectangular cross-s'ectiomsaid second member being arranged generally perpendicularly to said first member and having one side Yabutting one end of said first member"and both ends offset beyond both sides of said first member, and preformed cladding of thin sheet material including afirst sheet arranged over both sides and the other end of said first member and a second sheet aI- ranged over both ends and the other side of said second member, said panels having opposed lateral edges abutting said sides of said first member and sides abutting said one side of said second member, and said molding engaging the other sides of said panels and said sides of said first member.

5. The joint of claim 4 wherein said first sheet is of generally U-shaped cross-section, said second sheet is of generally C-shaped cross-section with two opposed flanges arranged over said one side of said second member adjacent both ends thereof, and said molding is made of thin sheet material of generally U-shaped cross-section opening toward said sides of said first member and includes inner elgs inclined toward said other sides of said panels at steep angles to said sides of said first member and outer legs terminating in outstanding anges inclined toward said other sides of said panels at shallow angles to said sides of said first member, said inner legs having their inner ends engaging said other sides of said panels and their outer ends engaging said sides of said first member, and said flanges having their outer ends fastened into engagement with said sides of said first member.

6. In simulated curtain wall construction, a joint including a load bearing mullion of generally L-shaped cross-section, a Wall panel, and preformed molding securing said panel and mullion together, said mullion comprising first and second wooden framing members of elongated generally rectangular cross-section providing longer sides and shorter ends, said second member havits its sides arranged generally perpendicularly to the sides of said first member and having one side abutting one end of said first member, one end ofiset beyond one side of said first member and its other end substantially flush with the other side of said first member, and preformed cladding of thin sheet material covering the exposed surfaces of said members and including a first sheet of generally U-shaped cross-section arranged over both sides and the other end of said first member and completely covering said other end of said first member, and a second sheet arranged over both sides and both ends of said second member and completely covering said one end and the other side of said second member, said panel having one edge abutting said one side of said first member and one side abutting said one side of said second member, and said molding being made of thin sheet material of generally U-shaped crosssection opening toward said one side of said first member and including an inner leg inclined toward said other side of said ,panel at a steep angle to said one side of said rst member and an outer leg generally perpendicular to said one side of said first member and terminating in an outstanding fiange inclined toward said other side of said panel at a. shallow angle to said one side of said first member, said inner leg having its inner end engaging said other side of said panel and its outer end engaging said one side of said first member to provide spacing between said inner leg and said other side of said panel for sealing compound, and said flange having its outer end fastened into engagement with said one side of said first member for urging said inner end and outer end of said inner leg into more intimate engagement with said other side of said panel and said one side of said first member respectively.

7. In simulated curtain wall construction, a joint including a generally horizontal load bearing sill mullion of generally L-shaped cross-section, an upright wall panel, and preformed molding securing said panel and mullion together, said mullion comprising first, second and third wooden framing members of elongated generally rectangularcross-section, said second memberbeing arranged generally perpendicularly to said first member and having one side abutting one end of said first member, one end offset beyond one side of said first member and its other end substantially flush with the other side of said first member, saidthird member being arranged generally parallelly to said first member and having one side abutting said other side of said first member and said other end of said second member, one end substantially flush with the other side of said second member and its other end substantially flush with the other end of said first member, and preformed cladding of thin sheet material including a first sheet arranged over said one side and other end of said first member, a second sheet arranged over said one end and said other side of said second member, and a third xpair of sheets arranged over both ends of said third member, said panel having a lower edge abutting said one side of said first member and one side abutting said one side of said second member, and said molding engaging the other side of said panel and said one side of said first member.

8. The joint of claim 7 wherein said first sheet is of generally U-shaped cross-section and is also arranged over said other side of said first member, said second sheet is also arranged over said other end of' said second member and over said one side of said second member adjacent said one end thereof, said third pair of sheets are of generally U-shaped cross-section and are also arranged over both sides of said third member adjacent both ends thereof, and said molding is made of thin sheet material being of generally U-shaped crosssection opening toward said one side of said first member and includes an inner leg inclined toward the other side of said panel at a steep angle to said one side of said first member and an outer leg terminating in an outstanding flange inclined toward said other side of said panel at a shallow angle to said one side of said first member, said inner leg having its inner end engaging said other side of said panel and its outer end engaging said one side of said first member, and said fiange having its outer end fastened into engagement with said one side of said first member.

9. In simulated curtain wall construction, a joint including an upright load bearing corner mullion of generally Z-shaped cross-section, a pair of generally perpendicular upright wall panels, and preformed molding securing said panels and mullion together, said mullion comprising first, second and third wooden framing members of elongated generally rectangular cross-section, said second member being arranged generally perpendicularly to said first member and having one side abutting one end of said first member, one end offset beyond one side of said first member and its other end substantially flush with the other side of said first member, said third member being arranged generally perpendicularly to said firstV member and having one end abutting said other side of said second member and one side substantially flush with the other end of said first member, and preformed cladding of thin sheet material including a first sheet arranged over said one side and other end of said first member and over both sides and the other end of said third member, and a second sheet arranged over said one end and the other side of said second member, one of said 15 panels having one lateral edge abutting said one side of said first member and one side abutting said one side of said second member, the other of said panels having one lateral edge abutting the other side of said third member and one side abutting said other side of said rst member and said other end of said second member, and said molding engaging the other sides of said Vpanels and said one side of said rst member and said other side of said third member respectively.

10. The joint of claim 9 wherein said second sheet is also arranged over said other end of said second member and over said one side of said second member adjacent said one end thereof, and said molding is formed of thin sheet material of generally U-shaped cross-section opening toward said one side of said rst member and said other side of said third member respectively and includes inner legs inclined towards said first member and said other side of said third member respectively and outer legs terminating in outstanding anges inclined toward said other sides of said panels at shallow angles to said one side of said first member and said other side of said third member respectively, said inner legs having their inner ends engaging said other sides of said panels and their outer ends engaging said one side of said first member and said other side of said third member respectively, and* said flanges having their outer ends fastened to said one side ofv said first member andl said other side of said third member respectively.

References Cited AUNIT ED STATES PATENTS 1,553,243 9/-1925 Larsen 52-,4499 1,609,541 12/1926 Gooding V- 52.-732 1,752,606 4/1930 McHugh 5,2.-501 1,983,246 12/1934 sakowski 52-.499 2,391,049 12/1945 Weiner 524721 FOREIGN PATENTS 560,903 1958 canada.

20 JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner. 

9. IN SIMULATED CURTAIN WALL CONSTUCTION, A JOINT INCLUDING AN UPRIGHT LOAD BEARING CORNER MULLION OF GENERALLY Z-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION, A PAIR OF GENERALLY PERPENDICULAR UPRIGHT WALL PANELS, AND PREFORMED MOLDING SECURING SAID PANELS AND MULLION TOGETHER, SAID MULLION COMPRISING FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD WOODEN FRAMING MEMBERS OF ELONGATED GENERALLY RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTION, SAID SECOND MEMBER BEING ARRANGED GENERALLY PERPENDICULARLY TO SAID FIRST MEMBER AND HAVING ONE SIDE ABUTTING ONE END OF SAID FIRST MEMBER, ONE END OFFSET BEYOND ONE SIDE OF SAID FIRST MEMBER AND ITS OTHER END SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID FIRST MEMBER, SAID THIRD MEMBER BEING ARRANGED GENERALLY PERPENDICULARLY TO SAID FIRST MEMBER AND HAVING ONE END ABUTTING SAID OTHER SIDE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER AND ONE SIDE SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH THE OTHER END OF SAID FIRST MEMBER, AND PREFORMED CLADDING OF THIN SHEET MATERIAL INCLUDING A FIRST SHEET ARRANGED OVER SAID ONE SIDE AND OTHER END OF SAID FIRST MEMBER AND OVER BOTH SIDES AND THE OTHER END OF SAID THIRD MEMBER, AND A SECOND SHEET ARRANGED OVER SAID ONE END AND THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER, ONE OF SAID PANELS HAVING ONE LATERAL EDGE ABUTTING SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID FIRST MEMBER AND ONE SIDE ABUTTING SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER, THE OTHER OF SAID PANELS HAVING ONE LATERAL EDGE ABUTTING THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID THIRD MEMBER AND ONE SIDE ABUTTING SAID OTHER SIDE OF SAID FIRST MEMBER AND SAID OTHER END OF SAID SECOND MEMBER, AND SAID MOLDING ENGAGING THE OTHER SIDES OF SAID PANELS AND SAID ONE SIDE OF SAID FIRST MEMBER AND SAID OTHER SIDE OF SAID THIRD MEMBER RESPECTIVELY. 